Legacy of Ashes

"All power comes at a cost. But some debts will echo across throughout the entire generations."

—Some Ryuen Archivist (nobody remembers which one, honestly)

Tokyo Jujutsu High – Inner Archives (Dead of Night)

Moonlight's leaking through busted glass, striping the floor like prison bars. Akashi's wandering these halls, not really looking for books—yeah right, like he's ever cared about late-night reading.

He's after the proof. The Third Codex, That locked up tight inside his own cursed domain, won't shut up. Keeps feeding him scraps of prophecy. Broken images, Gojo's downfall, and Shibuya's going to hell in a handbasket. It's a Typical Tuesday for a sorcerer you know...

"It's Buried under the city," he mutters. "And they're calling that mercy now?"

He hits the back wall. There's a barrier there—some sort of humming, like it's got a headache and Supposed to keep old memories locked up, but he's not about to let that stop him.

"I need answers."

His Hand pressed flat. The Codex inside him flickered, wall cracked open like it's exhaling the dust.

Flashback Fragment — White Spiral Prophecy

Suddenly, boom—a vision slams into him.

Some ancient, creepy ritual circle.

Three Codices, floating, ominous, above a pit that's basically hell's barbecue.

Gojo—yeah, that Gojo—chained up, eyes burning, still Gojo as all hell.

Curses everywhere, losing their minds with joy.

Akashi's there too, bleeding, yelling, shifting into… something else.

"I am not your damn pawn!"

But then, poof. The Vision's gone and the Echoes sticks around, though.

Dorm Rooftop – Same Night

Fast forward—Nobara finds Akashi squatting on the roof. His hands looks like he lost a fight with a blowtorch.

"You skipped dinner again."

"Wasn't hungry."

She snorts. "Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England."

She plops down next to him. No words for a minute. The city's just humming below.

She breaks the silence: " Is the Codices messing with your head yet?"

He nods. "It's not just knowledge. It's like—memories alive in me. My mom,and her sufferings, her fire… Feels like it's all getting tangled up inside."

"Just don't let it take over, okay?"

He looks at her, tired. "What if I have to be more than who I am?"

She shrugs. "Then you'd better still be Akashi when I catch up. Got it?"

She heads back in, but gives him a look on the way out. Hard to read. Classic Nobara.

Meanwhile – Spiral Cult Hideout, Middle-of-Nowhere Japan

Way out in the sticks at an underground, the last Spiral Cult geezers huddled around a fire. A Supervillain vibes are off the charts.

"The Third Codex is awake."

"So is the Dragon Heir."

"Time to merge the Codices. Drag him to the Fourth Gate."

Fire spits out of a shadow—big, horned, definitely not something you wanna meet in an alley.

"Soon he'll be our god… or will be our blood sacrifice."

No pressure, right?

Training Ground: 3rd Sector, Jujutsu High

Crack of dawn. Gojo and Akashi facing off. Arena's already seen better days like scorched, scarred, nothing pretty left.

Gojo grins. "You're holding back."

Akashi: "Not in the mood to break anyone today."

Gojo rolls his eyes. "Wrong line of work."

Next thing, Gojo's behind him. Akashi blocks, spins, blasts a Muay Thai kick that rattles the ground.

Gojo, actually impressed: "That's more like it. But what're you actually fighting?"

Akashi: "Myself."

Gojo's smile dropped. He gets close, serious. "Then quit running from your own shadow."

Secret Scroll Unlocked—Ryuen Flame Kata: "Scorching Memory"

Cooling down, Akashi feels the Codex stirring. Suddenly, a scroll in his mind—his mom's handwriting, neat and sharp.

[New Technique Unlocked]: Scorching Memory

Pain and memory, turned into living fire. The worse the memory, the hotter the flame. You can punch with it, or throw it like a fireball.

Downside? Burn out your soul if you go nuts with it.

Akashi cracks a smile. "Guess pain's good for something."

Same day Late at the Evening – Akashi's Room

He's Packing for the next mission, Akashi finds an old, battered photo. His mom, holding him, ruins behind her. He traced her face, just for a second.

"I'm not finished yet mom."

A knock. "Come in."

Nobara steps in, not in uniform this time. Eyes scanning, like she's checking for hidden traps.

"You heading out already?"

"Yup,Mission near the Fourth Gate. Mei Mei gave me the drop."

She stares him down. "Come back alive."

She steps in, grabs him quick and a kiss Outta nowhere like a lightning strike, gone just as fast.

"You've got a lot of doubters."

He grins. "Including you?"

She smirks. "Especially me."

She's gone before he can say another word.

Akashi looks at the door, quiet. Not a prayer, just a promise.

"I'll come back stronger."